Not all black people live in informal settlements and most Cape Town residents know this. But Minah Radebe, owner of Radebe's Guesthouse in Langa, says there is a perception among foreign tourists that they do and she is working hard to offer them a different perspective.
The 33-year-old started her business last year and was surprised to discover that foreigners held this view.
"They see these (shacks) in the media, especially on TV. They see informal settlements along the N2 when they are going to or coming from Cape Town International Airport," said Radebe.
"Many tourists are surprised that black people stay in core houses in black townships."
Her guesthouse, in Mama Way, is a brick house and includes a coffee shop and three bedrooms, each one decorated in a distinct cultural style.
The KwaMashu bedroom represents the Zulu people and their culture, while the Equnu bedroom reflects the culture of the Xhosa people.
The KwaNdebele bedroom has been decorated to showcase cultural aspects of the Ndebele people of the northern part of the country.
In her coffee room Radebe offers tea and homemade breads, and for lunch and dinner she serves African fare including isonka samanzi (steamed bread or dumplings), umfino (spinach, cabbage and maize meal), umngqusho (samp and beans), umleqwa (African chicken), umqombothi (African beer) and grilled chicken and beef or lamb stew.
Radebe is assisted by a permanent employee and two casuals, and calls in the help of two women from Nompumelelo Caterers in Gugulethu when the guesthouse is busy.
Her guests are both domestic and foreign tourists and have included people from the UK, the US, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany.
She's also had South African guests from Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Namaqualand.
The guesthouse has hosted groups from community organisations and companies for meetings.
Radebe was quick to acknowledge the local tour guides and operators who have referred their clients to her guesthouse.
"I have a good working relationship with tour operators and other roleplayers who are working to promote cultural tourism in the area."
She said her business reflected the basic, simple lifestyle of black Africans, while it offered her guests the opportunity to experience something different.
"Tourists tell us that they get an experience of a lifetime and warm and friendly hospitality at our guesthouse," said Radebe.
"We also offer an hour-long walking tour around Langa and appreciate the fact that they (the tourists) interact with the locals in the area."
Although she only launched the business in October, Radebe had been working on the idea since March last year when she realised that there was great potential for growth and development in the township's tourism industry.
"I also chose this kind of business because I love talking to and meeting people. I have a passion for tourism and people," she said.
In her bid to realise her dream, Radebe approached Cape Town Routes Unlimited officials. She said they had shown great interest and encouraged her to start her business.
She also participated in the tourism showcase hosted by Cape Town Routes Unlimited at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in August and said it had been a great opportunity for networking and distributing her brochures.
Earlier this month she participated in the Tourism Indaba in Durban, where 220 Western Cape businesses showcased their products.
In the run-up to the Durban event, Radebe joined other entrepreneurs at workshops in Cape Town to prepare for the indaba.
"Now I am applying what I learnt at the indaba."
- This article was originally published on page 20 of The Cape Argus on May 31, 2006